Home Remedies For Swollen Feet During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful phase in life with its own pros and cons.While the pros outnumber the cons, there are several discomforts associated with pregnancy that can take a toll on the pleasure of motherhood.

Morning sickness, nausea, gas, backaches and swollen feet can bring you to tears.In particular, swelling of the feet, also known as edema, can be a nightmare. Your shoes may not fit right and you may feel pain while walking. Swollen feet during pregnancy can also occur due to summertime heat, standing for long periods of time, long days of activity, a diet low in potassium, a high level of caffeine consumption and high sodium intake.

While swelling in the feet generally causes no harm to the expectant mother, for some women it can be a characteristic sign of developing a serious condition known as preeclampsia.

* Enjoy Walking

Walking can help deal with swollen feet when you are pregnant. It can help relieve fluid retention in several ways.

First of all, there is continuous contracting and pumping of the leg muscles when you walk. This helps the extra fluid get squeezed out of your tissues. Secondly, the elevated heart rate increases the blood circulation in your legs, which helps flush the fluid out of your extremities.

* Elevate Your Feet

Keeping your feet elevated can also help deal with swelling during pregnancy.

It helps maintain proper blood circulation, prevents the pooling of fluids in the feet and facilitates elimination of waste products.

* Use an Epsom Salt Foot Soak

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) may not only help with swelling on the feet but also in dealing with muscle pain. Epsom salt draws out toxins and induces relaxation.

* Massage Your Feet

Massage can be great for swollen feet and can also promote relaxation.

Massaging with gentle strokes creates pressure on the affected skin and muscle areas. This activates the lymphatic system and the fluid drains away naturally. A good massage can also help you relax and refresh your mood, which is quite essential for pregnant women.

* Monitor Your Salt Intake

High blood pressure can contribute to edema during pregnancy. To lower your blood pressure, you need to monitor your salt intake.The body needs a small amount of sodium to work properly, but excess salt will only cause damage to the body.